Forest Service releases interactive app for visitors

Nov. 20, 2013 - 06:00AM
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The Agriculture Department’s Forest Service is offering a new app containing more than 700 maps for its millions of annual visitors, according to an agency announcement Wednesday.

The app — available for Android and Apple products — will be cross-referenced with the user’s GPS coordinates so visitors will see their location as a blue dot. The app will also allow users to measure distances and areas, find coordinates, plot markers, add notes, and enter their own data and photos for easy reference, according to the agency.

Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said in a press release the app will make it easier for people to plan visits to Forest Service parks and grasslands.

“By putting important forest information right at your fingertips, it will encourage more Americans to get outside and explore their forests,” Tidwell said.

The Forest Service also is working on a redesign of its website, which will offer map-based planning tools for trips onto Forest Service land. The redesigned website is scheduled to debut early next year.